Operating mechanism for electrical switch assembly



May 10, 1966 H. L.. lvlNs 3,250,874

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 20, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 22) 21W 2o my M14-. 7. I 2m ll` lr [lll l INVENTOR.

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May 10, 1966 H. L. lvlNs 3,250,874

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 20, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Z Arme/vnf United States Patent C) 3,250,874 OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY Herbert L. Ivins, Brooklyn, Ohio, assignor to Square D Company, Park Ridge, Ill., a corporation of Michigan Filed Jan. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 338,690 3 Claims. (Cl. Zim-86.5)

This invention relates to an electric switch device and more particularly to a compact switch assembly having a plurality of self-contained reciprocably-actuateid switches arranged to be successively actuated by movement of a pivoted operator which may be a handle or treadle.

More specifically, the switch device comprises an enclosure wherein a lever mechanism provides a multiplication of the angular movement of a pivoted operator to cause successive operation of a plurality of pushbuttonoperated electric switches consequent upon movement of the operator.

It is an object of this invention to provide a compact switch assembly having a pivotal operating shaft which, when rotated to different angular positions, operates a lever mechanism to actuate, successively, a plurality of pushbutton-operated switches.

Another object is to provide a compact -enclosed switch device in which a lever, pivotally mounted in an enclosure for limited pivotalmovement about a first axis by a treadle member, operatively engages a pair of rocker arms mounted on a support for rocking about other axes, respectively, which are parallel to, and spaced from, the first axis and spaced apart from each other at opposite sides of the iirst axis so that the rocker arms, when rocked about their respective axes by movement of the lever, engage and operate, successively, a plurality of pushbutton-operated switches which are spaced in a row transverse to the axes and hence generally lengthwise of the rocker arms.

For purposes of illustration, the invention is disclosed herein in connection with a treadle operator for use as a foot-operated switch, the manner in which the invention can be incorporated in switches actuated in other ways being readily apparent from the illustrative example.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, wherein reference is made to the drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a switch device embodying the principles of the present invention, the switch mechanism being positioned in the normal fully-released or at rest condition, part of the structure being shown in section for clearness in illustration;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side elevations of the switch device of FIG. l showing the treadle operator and switch mechanism in intermediate and fully depressed positions, repectively; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device of this invention.

Referring to the drawings, the switch device comprises an operating lever having end members 10a and 10b which have edges 10c and 10d, respectively. The lever 10is mounted in fixed relation to a shaft 11, as by screw fasteners 12, for limited rotational or rocking movement with the shaft 11 about the axis of the shaft. The shaft 11 is rockably mounted in apertures 13 in opposite side v The casing 14 has integral lugs 17 on which are mounted Patented May l0, 1966 ICC Aand 22. The switches have respective reciprocable actuators or pushbuttons 19a, 20a, 21a and 22a which extend, respectively, through suitable holes 23a, 23b, 23e, and 23d arranged generally in a row in the plate 18. Each pushbutton, when actuated, opens or closes electrical contacts contained in the switch of which it is a part. The switches may be of the self-contained, double-pole, double throw, snap-acting type described more fully in U.S. Patent No. 3,017,471, entitled, Electric Switch, issued January 16, 1962, and assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

A pair of force-transferring means or rocker arms 24 and 25 are pivotally mounted on the plate 18, preferably by having bent over end portions received in respective open slots formed in the plate 18, so that their pivotal axes are parallel with the axis of the shaft 11 and located generally at opposite ends of the row of holes 23a through 23d. Thus, the rocker arms 24 and 25 are so positioned with respect to the actuators or pushbuttons 19a, 20a, 21a and 22a that the switches 19 through 22 will be operated by actuation of their respective pushbuttons consequent upon rotation 'of the arms 24 and 25 into engagement with the pushbuttons. Such operation of the switches 19 through 22 is effected by the coaction of the operating lever 10 with the rocker arms 24 and 25 as will be explained below.

In the form illustrated, the operating lever 10, is in the form of a plate having a pair of cut-out portions disposed between the end members 10a and 10b and the lever axis and through which the arms 24 and 25 extend so that the distal end members 10a and 10b of the lever 10 may engage the arms 24 and 25 at the edges 10c and 10d, respectively.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, when the switch device is in a fully released position, the edge 10c at the distal end 10a of the operating lever 10 urges the arm 24 in a direction to maintain the pushbuttons 19a and 20a depressed. At the same time, the edge 10d at the distal end 10b of the level 10 maintains the arm 25 in such a position that the shelf-restoring pushbuttons 21a and 22a are in an extended position.

Depressing the treadle 15 against the bias of the spring 16 causes the shaft 11 and the lever 10 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 11. The coaction of the edge 10d of the lever 10 with the rocker arm; 25 causes pivotal movement of the arm 25 in a counterclockwise direction about its axis toward the pushbuttons 21a and 22a. Conourrently, the clockwise movement of the distal end portion 10a about the axis of the shaft 11 permits the arm 24 to pivot or rock, under coaction with the edge 10c, about its axis in a counterclockwise direction away from the pushbutton 19a and 20a. Thus, as the treadle 15 is depressed from the position of FIG. l to the position of FIG. 2, the pushbuttons 20a and 19a will be released in the order recited. The switch assembly is shown in FIG. 2 with its treadle 15 in an intermediate position and with all pushbuttons released.

Continued movement of the treadle 15 from the intermediate position against the bias of the spring 16 causes the pushbuttons 22a and 21a to be depressed in the order recited. The position of the switch assembly in which the pushbuttons 21a and 22a are fully depressed is shown in FIG. 3.

lf it is desired that operation of the treadle 15 cause closure of electrical contacts in the switches 19 through 22, then it is evident that the contacts of the switches 19 and 20 must be open when their pushbuttons are depressed and that the'contacts of the switches 21 and 22 must be open when their pushbuttons are released. If the switches are of the double-pole, double-throw type.

then, clearly, they may be connected as desired to either make or break circuits as the treadle 15 is actuated. As previously explained, the switches 19 through 22 will operate" successively consequent upon movement of the treadle 15 against the bias of the spring 16; rst the switch 2t) will operate, followed by the switches 19, 2.2, and 21 in the order recited.

Upon release of the treadle 15 `from its fully depressed position, the order lof operation of the -switches is reversed. i

It desired, the arms 24 and ZSvmay have bent over inner ends 24a and 25a, respectively, opposite from the pivoted ends. These inner ends engage the lateral edges of the eut-out portions when the associated arms are fully raised and thereby act as guides to constrain theV arm-s to proper alignment with the cut-out portions.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An electric switch comprising:

(a) a lever, Y

(b) means pivotally supporting said lever for rocking about a first axis,

(c) a pair of rocker arms,

(d) means supporting said arms for rocking about other axes, respectively, which are parallel to, spaced from, and at opposite sides of, said first axis,

(e) said arms being engaged by said lever, when said lever is rocked about said rst axis, at predetermined locations, respectively, which are spaced from are rocked about their respective axes by-said lever,

(h) said lever comprising a relatively Hat, generally rectangular'plate member having a pair of apertures therein positioned one on each side of said first axis and so aligned with respect to said r-ocker `arms that each arm passes througha respective one i i of said apertures when said lever is rocked about said first axis. l 2. A switch device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rocker arms have bent over portions, respectively,

at the ends thereof remote from their respective axes which, when the rocker arms are rocked about their axes and engage their associated reciprocable actuators, respectively, are received between the lateral Vedges of their adjacent apertures, respectively, thereby to constrain said rocker arms in proper alignment with said apertures.

3. An electric switch device comprising:

(a) an enclosure,

(b) a supporting plate mounted in said enclosure,

(c) a plurality of self-restoring switches arranged in a row on said supporting plate and having reciprocable actuators, respectively, which `are operable between a released and depressed position and are arranged in a row which extends lengthwise of the row of switches,

(d) a lever supported in said enclosure for rocking about a rst axis extendingtransversely of, and spaced'from, said row of actuators, and disposed intermediate the ends of said row of actuators, said n lever comprising a relatively iiat, generally. rectangular, plate member having a pair of apertures therein, said apertures being positioned one on each' side of said lirst'axis, Y

(e) a pair of rocker arms pivotally connected to the supporting pla-te for rocking about other pivotal axes located, respectively, one at each end of said row of actuators,

(f) each of said arms extending, radially from its pivotal axis, lengthwise of the row of actuators, and being so aligned with respect to said lever that each arm passes through the aperture adjacent to it when said lever is rocked about said rst axis,

(g) one of said arms being aligned with the actuators which are at one side of said first axis, and the other arm being aligned with the actuators'which are at the other side of said rst axis,

(h) each arm being engaged by the lever', one arm at one side of the rst axis and the other arm at the opposite side of the first axis, at a predetermined location of engagement which is Vnearer to the pivotal axis of the arm than at least one of those actuators with which it is aligned,

(i) said arms additionally having bent over portions, respectively, at the ends of said arms` remote from their respective axes which, when said arms are rocked about their axes to engage their associated actuators, respectively, are received between the lateral edges of their adjacent apertures, respectively, thereby to constrain said arms in proper alignment with said apertures,

(j) one arm being operative to depress its associated actuators and the other to release its associatedV References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/ 1946 Clay. 3/1958 VSimonds et al. 200-.86

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

H. A. LEWITTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRIC SWITCH COMPRISING: (A) A LEVER, (B) MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID LEVER FOR ROCKING ABOUT A FIRST AXIS, (C) A PAIR OF ROCKER ARMS, (D) MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ARMS FOR ROCKING ABOUT OTHER AXES, RESPECTIVELY, WHICH ARE PARALLEL TO, SPACED FROM, AND A OPPOSITE SIDES OF, SAID FIRST AXIS, (E) SAID ARMS BEING ENGAGED BY SAID LEVER, WHEN SAID LEVER IS ROCKED ABOUT SAID FIRST AXIS, AT PREDETERMINED LOCATIONS, RESPECTIVELY, WHICH ARE SPACED FROM SAID AXES, AND (F) SWITCH MEANS HAVING RECIPROCABLE ACTUATORS, RESPECTIVELY, ARRANGED IN GROUPS, ONE GROUP FOR EACH ROCKER ARM, (G) SAID ACTUATORS IN EACH GROUP BEING DISPOSED IN A ROW EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF THEIR ASSOCIATED ROCKER ARM AND BEING SPACED DIFFERENT DISTANCES FROM EACH OF SAID OTHER AXES SO THAT SAID ACTATORS ARE ENGAGED AND OPERATED BY SAID ARMS, SUCCESSIVELY, IN RELATION TO THEIR DISTANCES FROM SAID OTHER AXES, AS SAID ARMS ARE ROCKED ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVELY AXES BY SAID LEVER, (H) SAID LEVER COMPRISING A RELATIVELY FLAT, GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PLATE MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF APERTURES THEREIN POSITIONED ONE ON EACH SIDE OF SAID ARMS THAT EACH ARM PASSES THROUGH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID APERTURES WHEN SAID LEVER IS ROCKED ABOUT SAID FIRST AXIS. 